September 2024

WFCM News For You

Executive Director's Update

September is Hunger Action Month. This is a time when Feeding America partners nationwide work to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in America and inspire action. We recently visited one of our partners in this work, Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), based in the Lorton Community Center operated by Fairfax County Government. LCAC also offers a choice pantry model and serves families/individuals in their surrounding area who can accessibly select food from their location.

The power of collective impact among Feeding America partners in Fairfax County is strong! In July, WFCM, United Community, and Lorton Community Action Center served more than 1,568 unduplicated families, consisting of 5,197 people. We provided a total of 239,734 lbs. of groceries to those families, an average of 153 lbs. of groceries per family valued at $301! Fairfax County supports each of our organizations with a grant for emergency food. Our three organizations were able to take each $1 provided and turn it into an average of $21.96 in groceries due to our partnerships with grocery stores, donations from community members, and bulk purchasing. This is a good investment for the county and allows each of our organizations to serve community members residing near our locations with dignity and choice, and without duplication.

In August, our client Douglas shared the difference WFCM is making in his life. Douglas is a day laborer who does landscaping and painting, so he makes his appointments at the Centreville Free Food Market in the evenings after work.

“WFCM’s Food Market provides me with fresh food every month so I can make meals. Then I can use the money I earn to pay my rent and for electricity and water. I am thankful I don’t have to choose between food and housing. WFCM is the reason I am not hungry.” Douglas

We are thankful for the support of our county government, local congregations and businesses, foundations, and individuals that ensure Douglas and thousands of people in our community can come to WFCM to select groceries. And, we are grateful to be part of the Feeding America network and team of nonprofit food providers in Fairfax County that work in collaboration to serve families throughout the county with dignity and choice.

Thank you to each of you who support the work of WFCM.

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos, Deputy Director

In August, we served 721 families in our Free Food Markets; 205 in Centreville. That is a 15% increase compared to August 2023. We served 38 families for the first time.

You may note that the amount spent on food and the bags of food provided was lower in August 2024 compared to August 2023. This is the direct impact of the decrease in county grant funds that means we cannot purchase as many items for families and that they are therefore receiving less food. However, WFCM was able to stretch each $1 of our county grant for emergency food into a value of $28.04 of groceries during the month of August. Each individual received an average of $83 of groceries, or $249 in groceries for a family of 3.

As a reminder, due to new guidelines by the Greater DC Diaper Bank, we are providing 50 diapers per baby per month (as opposed to 100 or 75 per baby per month in the past) which is the reason for the decrease in diapers provided. There was not a decrease in families/babies served. We remain thankful for this partnership which still provides a value of $20 in diapers per baby each month for families and allows us to provide diapers for all clients with babies/toddlers under 3 years of age, as well as additional eligible families in the community.

At the end of August,The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Centreville Stake, donated 13,382 lbs. of food and toiletries including pasta, beans, flour, vegetable oil, and more to stock the shelves of our Free Food Markets! This is one of two food and toiletry donations we will be receiving in August-September with shelf-stable food and toiletries to serve 700 families during the month of September. We are grateful for this amazing level of support as we did not have many of these items to provide to families in August.

Grocery store donations and grants for fresh food ensure families receive milk, eggs, meat, bread, fruit and vegetables when selecting food in our markets.

September is Hunger Action Month.

Please consider using our calendar to support the needs of community members.

Most needed items in the Free Food Market this month:

Flour (Maseca preferred)
Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
Vegetable Oil
Pasta Sauce
Pasta
Cereal (low sugar preferred)
Pancake Mix
Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels)
Canned Chicken

Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511

Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.

Community Connections

with Diane Beatley

Sr. Manager, Community Engagement

Partner Spotlight: Southwestern Youth Association (SYA)

WFCM is grateful for our friend and neighbor, SYA Sports, for donating a portion of the proceeds from their SYA Froghair Golf Classic to support the work of WFCM.

The SYA mission is to promote healthy, safe and fun athletic opportunities for the youth of the Centreville, Clifton and surrounding communities of Southwestern Fairfax County. The staff and volunteers are #CaringConnections and it is our pleasure to work with them to serve the community!

Fall FUNdraiser Events

October 19 & 20, 2024!

This year we have a new family-friendly way

to get involved and support the work of WFCM.

You can enjoy a Saturday walk or a Sunday dinner, or both!

Together We Walk To End Hunger!

Join this one-mile family-friendly walk during the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community while raising funds for solutions.

Generously sponsored by Keener Insurance Agency, Inc., 100% of walker registration fees benefit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)'s Free Food Markets!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

11:00 AM

Historic Centreville

Fall Fellowship Dinner 2024

Entertainer Announced! Join us for a special evening of fellowship while enjoying a classical guitar performance by Alexander Barnett. Check out his videos!

In addition to great music, the evening will feature a hearty Italian buffet along with appetizers and dessert. Guests will be able to participate in a virtual silent auction prior to the dinner and have the chance to win raffle prizes that evening.

Purchase tickets by October 4, 2024.

Thank You Sponsors!

The Fall Fundraiser would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

This month we highlight the Presenting Event Sponsor and Entertainment Sponsor. Look for more sponsor recognition on the event page and in upcoming newsletters.

Presenting Event Sponsor

Classical Guitarist Alexander Barnett

Entertainer

Entertainment Sponsor

More Ways to Support Our Fall FUNdraisers

Interested in your business, congregation, or organization serving as a sponsor

for our Fall Fundraiser?

Would you like to donate a gift card or experience for the online auction?

Email donorsupport@wfcmva.org to let us know.

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